A cyclist was killed during a hit-and-run Thursday night about a quarter mile east of Gumpond Beall Road, said Deputy Sheriff Shane Tucker with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department.

The victim, Luiz Perez, 64, of Rault Drive in Lumberton, was riding west on Hillsdale-Gumpond Road when a vehicle, also traveling west, struck him, Tucker said.

Detective Marc Ogden who is investigating the case was able to determine that the vehicle the sheriff’s department is looking for is a Ford F-250 made between 1997-2001. Tucker said the passenger side headlight of the truck is broken and there is possible damage to the passenger front fender.

“Even if an individual thought they hit something else on that road in a similar vehicle, they need to contact us as well,” Tucker said.

Perez’s family became concerned after Perez never came home and went out searching for him. They discovered him in a ditch and proceeded to call the Sheriff’s Department at 9:13 p.m.

Coroner Derrick Turnage said an autopsy has been conducted and he is awaiting the results.

If anyone has any information, please call the Sheriff’s Department at 601-795-2241.